The Bear's Den

Dang, if you were hanging around State from 1972 to 1984, you were present during the time of a legendary underground music scene. The Bear’s Den was one of the live-music venues underneath the Cameron Village Mall (known as the Village Subway to patrons). Along with other spaces in the “Underground” like The Frog and Nightgown and The Pier, the Bear’s Den hosted a who’s-who of up-and-coming bands who sent on to national fame. Among them, R.E.M., The Ramones, The Go-Gos, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Buffett and MANY more now-famous acts. In 1984, the whole scene was shut down due to concerns it was a huge fire hazard (which was most likely true). If you pass by the Cameron Village Library, the craziness was located directly underneath. It’s much quieter now than it was back in the day!